Vintage looking Birthday card

This card was made using a layout by Sheetload, patterned paper by K&Co and a sentiment by Crafty Secrets. Some jewels complete the piece.

Until my next post,
Diane

Good enough to eat 2010

Last year I made a gingerbread house after hubby and I returned from our before Christmas Disneyworld visit. Well we went again and here's the creation I made this year.

I purchased it from the Disney Beach Club resort on the first night we arrived. We had reservations at Raglin Road in Downtown Disney. After having a great meal we took one of the Disney buses to that resort and saw their edible carousel creation and bought a kit for me and one for my neighbor.

Here's the lobby of the Beach Club Resort.

Just in case you are inclined to make one yourself here's your shopping list:

Now maybe you aren't into carousels but you'd really like a little cabin in the woods or a summer cottage. Well how about getting the building plans for this:

This would be the day to use the SUV instead of the Mini Cooper to lug the groceries home to complete this creation:

That's all for today. I'll post some more Disney pictures in the next few days.

Until my next post,

Diane



Happy Blog Anniversary

Today marks the second anniversary of my blog. I think it helps keep me motivated to make "stuff". I look at the posts I have in the cue and then think I need to make something and scan it so I can show the world... OK maybe not the world but at least a few of you. I hope some folks out there get a little inspiration for their creations.

As I mention on my blog header I'm not into tagging or awards and for those of you looking for it... NO blog candy.

Until my next post,
Diane

The weather outside is frightful...

The Hampton Roads/Tidewater area of Virginia (where I live) doesn't usually get that much snow BUT on occasion, if the circumstances are right, (like today) we can get a wallop of snow. Yesterday afternoon we saw some flurries and by 6a.m. this morning when I did my early morning walk we'd had about 3" on the ground. It's been snowing all day and the winter storm watch goes until 7p.m. tonight. When all is said and done we'll likely have about a foot of snow. VDOT has redirected some snow removal equipment from areas unaffected to those that are but they will likely focus on the interstate highways and other major roads. The local communities simply don't have that much snow removal equipment. My little joke is that the guy that drives the snowplow can only work so many hours a day that's why it takes day to get your street plowed...if you do. We generally work on the solar method of snow removal...wait a day or so and the sun will come out an melt it.

I must have the only bird feeders in the area:

I'm not looking forward to shoveling tomorrow, this stuff is going to be heavy not the fluffy snow of the west. Look how is just piles up on anything. Here's my mailboxes at the end of the street and the entry with the snow piled on the faux pine bough garland.



Until my next post,

Diane



Merry Christmas

Here's my second group of Christmas cards for this year. As I mentioned in my previous post I only made a few. I'll look into getting some stamps that are a bit more generic so I can use them for winter cards too. Like the cards in the previous post these were made in a class using paper from The Paper Cut and most of the stamps (maybe all) were by Impression Obsession.

Until my next post,
Diane

A Sad State Of Affairs

It certainly wasn't my intent upon creating this blog to use it as a soapbox to voice my comments or political views but I just can't resist the temptation to express my disgust at what is happening to the youth of this country.

A recent report shows 23% of recent high school graduates don't get the minimum score needed to enlist in the armed services. Now these are kids that WANT to join the military...there isn't a draft so there's no need to try to look stupid. In addition, the Pentagon has recently reported that "75 percent of those aged 17 to 24 don't qualify for the military because they are physically unfit, have a criminal record or didn't graduate high school."

Whether or not you believe in a strong defense for this country or think serving this country is honorable you should be disgusted that our nation's youth is in this deplorable condition.

Merry Christmas preview

This year I made a few Christmas cards, just for immediate family and very close friends. I made them all in classes or make and takes. The thing about Christmas card stamps is that they are difficult to use for anything else. I guess if they aren't too "Christmassy" you can use them for a generic winter card but I hate buying something that I can only use for one thing. Anyway here's the first batch. Most were made using paper from The Paper Cut and stamps from Impression Obsession.

Until my next post,
Diane

Christmas ATCOTM

Here's the ATC I made for the Stampers Corner Yahoo group for the ATCOTM club. Someone (sorry I can't give you credit since I don't remember who) sent me this snowflake background paper with a swap. I layered that on top of to pieces of blue cardstock. On top I stamped the busy shopper and embossed the image. I colored in portions of the image with Sakura glaze pens.Three blingy snow flakes complete the piece.

Until my next post,
Diane

Just Because Card

This past summer I attended a CK (Creating Keepsakes) Convention. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was pretty good. I took a bunch of classes and here's a card I made in my 7 Minute Cards class with Boxer Scrapbooks. I sent this recently with an ATC swap. All the elements of the cards come in prepunched cardstock and chipboard and you just assemble. It is a but cutesy but I can do cutesy...and vintage, and grunge and satire and......

Until my next post,
Diane

Create card

Here's a card I made using the Pinwheel Techniue from the Technique Junkies Aug/Sep 2010 newsletter. I used Hero Arts stamps for the background and the sentiment. I also used a Cuttlebug Embossing forlder.

Until my next post,
Diane

Friends and cookies

Here's another card I made using the template from Boxer Designs. I used corrdinating cardstock and patterned paper and a stamp by Inkadkinkado. I also used a Fiskars border punch and some peal offs filled in with a Sakura Gel pen.

Until my next post,
Diane

Leaves ATC

This was last months ATCOTM for the Stampers Corner Yahoo Group. I stamped a background of...well leaves of course using a set by Inque. Next I used a technique I saw on Roni's blog. I added a few smaller leaves I had purchased in a bag and then finished it off with a phrase from Repeat Impressions.

Until my next post,
Diane

Live in the moment card

I made this as an anniversary card for some good friends. The background is the Glimmer Lace technique  from the Aug/Sep issue of the Technique Junkies newsletter. I substituted Ranger Distress Ink refills and Perfect Pearls. The stamps are Tim Holtz designed by Stampers Anonymous. I layered the sentiment by cutting a shape with a Spellbinders die.

Until my next post,
Diane

Make a Wish...Have a blast

Here's another spinner card that I made for a grand nephew. This one uses the Kazoo Kids paper by K&Co. and stamps by Inque. The inside (not scanned) has a matching rub on by K&Co.

Until my next post,
Diane

Memories stitched with love card

I made this card for my in-laws for their anniversary. I think after 50+ years of marriage they've got a LOT of memories. I can't remember where I saw the technique I used for the background but basically I stamped with three different colored inks in the same family on three different stamps. I cut out the pieces and made a type of paper quilt that I "stitched" together with a gel pen. The background stamps are all by Impression Obsession. The sentiment is by Club Scrap and the scissors are by Hero Arts.

Until my next post,
Diane

Grungy Pinwheel card

Here's another Pinwheel card I made using the Technique Junkies Aug/Sep 2010 issuse. I had some old scrapbook paper that I distressed and then stamped on using a Stampers Anonymous stamp for the background and the ticket. The pinwheel is made using paper embossed with a Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder. The clock is by SkyBluePink.

Until my next post,
Diane

Fall Colors Card

Here's another card I made using the Glimmer Lace Technique Junkies technique from their Aug 2010 issue. The stamp is by Hero Arts. I used a Fiskars border punch for an accent on the black cardstock.

Until my next post,
Diane

Hello Goodbye ATC

The theme for this Altered Designs TGIF was song lyrics. If you grew up in the 60's or 70's and don't know who this represents...well there is a problem with your pop culture IQ. If you are a youngin' then I'll spill the beans...the ATC is highlighting The Beatles. I used a telephone stamp by Golden Acorn. I inked it with Versamark and then used clear embossing powder. I made the cutout of the "fab four" with my Silhouette. I got this design (don't ask me where) from the internet. The "Hello Goodbye" are stamped with Just Rite stamps.

Until my next post,
Diane

Steampunk ATC

This is my first actual attempt to make a Steampunk themed ATC. I made it for the Stampers Corner Yahoo Group. I like the images that go with this theme and want to explore it more so that will be my next search to find more "stuff". For this ATC I used a stamp by Technique Tuesday for the left border. The other stamps are from a set by 7 Gypsies. I'm not sure where I got the image I cut out but I thought it would work with this theme. I added a few watch parts on top of the gear stamp.

Until my next post,
Diane

Big Boy Birthday Card

Here's a card I made for a grand newphew. I used paper and a rub on (on the bottom) from the Kazoo Kids collection by K&Co. The inner part spins to reveal the sentiment. I used stamps by Inque. the big brad in the center is what keeps the center tan circle in place and allows it to spin.

Until my next post,
Diane

Happy Thanksgiving

I think a lot of people dread Thanksgiving. There is a lot to pack into a one day. It's one of the busiest travel weekends of the year and that's why many folks dread the experience. Many people wait until the last minute to leave so they don't have to take the kids out of school or take a day off. Then you are fighting traffic or sitting on a crowded plane. Next comes the weather. Unless you live in a predictable climate there's always the snow and ice storm that cause havoc in travel plans going to see your family or getting back home. That's why I stay home and save my travel plans for other times of the year. As a matter of fact I don't cook any more and find the location of a buffet so I can eat a little bit of something and then not have to worry about what to do with all the leftovers.

Anyway I like the holiday just don't like the way folks create a lot of stress for themselves on what is supposed to be a fun day.

Until my next post,

Diane

Last Rodeo style card...for now

Here's the last in my series of cards made with the TJ Designs images from the card kit. I still have papers and embellishments left over so I'll make more cards with cowboy/cowgirl images I've gotten from the internet. I used the coordinating rubber stamp as my "extra" for this card.

Until my next post,
Diane

Sourpuss Themed ATC

Here's an ATC I made for the Altered Designs Yahoo Group with the theme of Sourpuss. For this one I used background paper by K&Co, a bit of lace, a collage image that I had gotten from Gaby and a corner adornment that I cut with my Silhouette. When I saw the girl the words from the Sam Cooke song sprung into my mind.

Until my next post,
Diane

When you're in a jam card

Here's a card I made using little $1 stamps by Inkadinkado and that layout I've been copying from Boxer Scrapbooks. I added some peel off swirls as my accent and cut the pink paper with deco scissors.

Until my next post,
Diane

Rodeo Sweethearts Card Part 2

This is the second of two Rodeo Sweethearts cards made with the TJ Designs card kit. This time I used a sticker of a cowboy boot as my added embellishment and the matching rubber stamp from the coordinating set.

Until my next card,
Diane

Little Rodeo Girl Card #2

Here's another card made with some of the elements in the Tweety Jill Rodeo Sweethearts Card Kit. For this one I used some of my own bandana type paper and a bit of drywall mesh. The rest of the paper elements came with the kit. I already had the stamps that coordinate.

Until my next post,
Diane

Paint Chip TGIF

The theme for this Altered Designs TGIF ATC was Paint Chip. I decided to do the Herringbone Technique from the Techniqe Junkies newletter of Jan 2010. I used four different paint chips, two dark and two light green and stamped on one of each with different Impression Obsession stamps. I cut the strips into 1/8" or 1/4" strips and then layed them out on a piece of paper I'd run through my Xyron. After mounting it on black and then green cardstock a bit of bling (ok a bunch of bling) finishes the ATC.

Until my next post,

Diane

Faux Domino Card Celestial Style

Here's a card I made using the Faux Domino technique from the Jun/Jul 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie newsletter. If you aren't a Junkie you should look into it. I used a stamp by Stampers Anonymous and some scrapbook paper by Autumn Leaves that coordinated.

Until my next post,
Diane

Old School is the best way to go

I'm not a big fan of the new version of 3D even though I haven't seen a movie made with the newer technology. I'd rather have the plot be the focus. Don't get me wrong; I love a good action movie but there really has to be a story. We might not have a choice in the future though. There are a bunch of 3D TVs and I'm sure it will be shoved down our throats until we accept it.

The reason for this post is to announce a new Winnie the Pooh  movie is going to be made the old school way. I'm sure my buddy Tigger will have a prominent role. The movie won't be in 3D or even in the style of the current show on the Disney channel, it will be like old style cartoons with hand drawn animation and I've a feeling I'm going to love it.

The simplicity of the characters and the stories are what is important NOT to see Tigger springing towards you in 3D.

Until my next post,
Diane

Live Well card

Here's another card I made using an easy template. I had some left over patterned paper that I coordinated with some solid cardstock. I used a Fiskars border punch and some faux stitching on the punched flowers and where the sentiment is. The stamped sentiment is by the Paper Company. The finishing touch are some metallic gold peel off stickers on the edges.

Until my next post,
Diane

Another Double Bugging Birthday

Here's another Double Bugging card that I made for my sister. I used a stamp by Inque that I cut out using a Spellbinders die. I added a bit of ribbon in a coordinating color and a few jewels to complet the card.

Until my next post,
Diane

Altered Book Done

Back in January I took an altered book class at Memories Galore in Richmond with Melissa Samuels. In class we tore out pages to make room for what we’d be inserting later, adhered multiple pages together for strength and stability of the book, prepared some of the pages with a background using acrylic paint and glaze, made the cover, made a hidden compartment and an acrylic covered shadow box. When I got home I had a lot to do to finish the project and a lot of ideas. I finally finished the book.

I don’t care for my handwriting so I had to practice a few times with the brush pen to get an idea of how my title would work. I settled on “Things with Wings” since I had a lot of embellishments, ephemera and photographs of bees, birds, butterflies and dragonflies that I jazzed up with Photoshop.

Here’s the inside cover. I used various rubber stamps, scrapbook paper, rub-ons, and a gel medium transfer. I incorporated the library pocket and a card I had with ephemera.
 

This is obviously a dragonfly page. I stamped with rubber stamps and a foam stamp. After the ink was dry I outlined with a white pen. I also added a die cut rub-on, some scrapbook paper and a gel medium transfer.
 

This page and the one before make the pocket that is on the left side. I realized afterwards there is a better way to make a pocket so I guess I'll have to make another altered book! I used the pages I ripped out to make die cuts and them embossed them. I used the negative space created by the cut out and inked directly to the page and outlined with the white pen. I also detail cut around a few purchased die cuts.
 

This page is also about dragonflies using a mask I created with a silhouette cut, a glimmer mist mask and stamp, a folded tag, a label from a label maker and a photo I took in my backyard.
 

Here’s the tag pulled out.
 

Now it’s all about butterflies. I added some detail cut purchased die cuts, rub-ons, label and a photo of a butterfly that I framed with some lace.

The left page has another lace framed photo, a label, rubber stamping and some bird postage stamps. The right page has some Glimmer Mist sprayed tags that I stamped, a label, and a photo of a bee on a Yorktown onion.

The left page has some stamping, die cuts, and a photo. The right page has a wax seal with a bee design, a die cut embossed sticker and another lace framed photo. This time I colored the lace.  

Birds on both sides here. Along with the photos, there is rubber stamping, postage stamps, cut out embellishments and a canvas tag.
 

Butterflies on the left with yet another lace framed photo, a brass stencil that I traced and die cuts. The right side has another bee photo with stamping and more embossed die cut stickers.
 

Here’s another bee on a Yorktown onion, and some tags colored with Glimmer Mist. The right has a lace framed photo and some more postage stamps.
 

The left side has some stamped and masked butterflies. The right side shows the acetate covered shadow box with a butterfly embellishment and the handle to the “secret” drawer. What’s inside? I can’t tell you because it’s a secret.
 

Here’s the back cover. I had a bunch of rub-ons with the word simplify so I used it twice but eliminated some letters on the second one.